Hi friends! I'm American and I'll be honest I really don't know much when it comes to the monarchy and how the system works. So bear with me if I (most likely) make stuff up or if some of the story lines aren't accurate in regards to that from here on. But to my UK friends please feel more than welcome to correct me as I'm always willing to learn! Happy reading. :)

Part 1

"The Henstridge family's legacy is vile. After Simon's death.. or shall I say murder, our nation has been dictated by a couple of psychopaths."

Jasper tilts his head in light agreement. He couldn't disagree with Henry on that one.

"The only royals Willow is willing to work with are the twins," he continues. "Which by default I suppose includes you." His tone of voice implies that he wasn't so happy about that realization.

"Work with them how so?" Jasper rubs his face, tired and on the verge of boredom.

"Helena had our mother's best friend killed. Her name was Dominique Stewart, Simon's first true love. All so that poor excuse of a woman could get her out of the way while cheating her way to the throne." Henry gives strong mannerisms with his hands as he passionately speaks. It was already the most Jasper heard him talk since they first met.

"Still trying to figure out what this 'plan' is," he tiredly quotes with his fingers. "Last time I was apart of a plan with Willow she royally fucked us over.. literally."

"That never took off the ground from the beginning. Robert slaughtered his own father. We were expecting death threats to our family from him. That's why our parents just joined the rest of them half way across the globe."

"Very smart," Jasper mumbles condescendingly. "So, big sis is now in power. Get to the part how this has to do with my wife."

Henry does half an eye roll taking a step from the wall. The two domineering personalities were sure to make a clash. But for now, it was imperative that they put their egos to the side.

"Willow didn't follow through with the wedding to become Queen. She doesn't want the power. She wants quite the opposite. To disband the monarchy."

"Good luck with that." Jasper chuckles in dismay. "Have you met Robert?"

"He's growing weaker by the day. Willow has been maintaining most of his duties. Liam's suicide attempt seems to of affected him greatly." The irritatingly handsome bodyguard had once again made a valid point. Jasper himself hadn't been on duty in weeks because the hermit would barely come out of his lounge area. "This is the perfect time to strike."

Jasper strokes his chin staring at his feet. "Okay, so he's been a bit down lately.. And let's say this actually played out. What about the hundreds of employees that would be out of a job? What about James Hill? His daughter? Eleanor? This is their home.. my home."

"You musn't tell Eleanor," Henry orders firmly raising his finger. "I'm doing you a favor by telling you this information as it isn't an option. Willow's plan is already in motion."

Jasper wants to smack the smug smirk off the seemingly cockier by the second bodyguard. Who the fuck does this kid even think he is? He can't just show up and start throwing orders at-

"I know what you're thinking," Henry interrupts his thought. Likely the expression on his face indicated further explanation. "But the Princess' health is very fragile right now. Surely the last thing she needs to stress about is the status of the monarchy."

"I appreciate your considerable concern of my wife, but I think I'll make the decision on what I will and will not tell her."

"This is not the time to get prideful. Liam is not fit to rule the nation and the people deserve to know the truth: How much of their money has been thrown away due to lavish outfits for the Queen, or endless supplies of caviar. That they've been under the rule of a murderer.. Besides, this is what Simon wanted."

Jasper takes long strikes back and forth inwardly yearning for a cigarette. Even for him, this was just too much fucking information all at once. Undoubtedly this would require extensive mental and physical work that frankly he wasn't up to.

"You can live a normal life. Have your baby in a normal household."

He halts in place, his head instantaneously snapping over to Henry. He had never entertained such a thought. Because to him, he nor she could ever be 'normal'.

If there was any incentive that would drive the expectant father to participate in Willow's plan, this would be it.

The Next Day

Eleanor pulls back the drapes to the window gazing across the royal garden. She rubs her belly which protrudes more by the day. Jasper walks up behind her kissing the side of her neck placing his hand on top of hers.

"You're up early," he says taking a glance at the clock. It was 8 AM but unbeknownst to him she had been up since 5 AM. "Today's the day."

"That it is," she replies noticeably lacking enthusiasm. Her vision stalls through the window gazing off into the distance.

"Is everything alright?" Jasper turns her to face him still snug in his arms. Her bright green eyes look up to him examining his face. She bites her lower lip as she did when she was holding something back from him.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." She flashes what appears to be a forced smile before walking the opposite direction. She spins around with a perplexed expression. "What did you and Henry talk about last night by the way?"

Jasper nervously itches the back of his neck with his head low. "Uh- nothing, nothing really."

She raises her eyebrows at him with eyes winced.

"Look, I was wrong about him. He's a good kid."

"You were what?"

"I said I was wrong Eleanor, what do you want from me?" He throws his arms to the side in submission.

"To hear you say that once more. Thank you," she chirps with a coy smile before exiting the room.

"Ah that's cold." Eleanor inhales a sharp breath as the doctor runs the transducer along her stomach. Jasper holds her hand while staring at the screen. His foot taps at a rapid pace anxiously awaiting to hear the news.

The doctor points at the monitor as she locates the fetus. "You see this right here?" she instructs tracing her finger along the scan. She turns to look at Eleanor with a grin on her face. "You're going to have a baby girl."

"Oh my God," she weeps covering her mouth.

"Holy shit," Jasper utters under his breath. Of course he knew there was a 50% chance of it being a girl. But truthfully he felt more capable of raising a boy to his full potential. He's consumed with a hefty mixture of joy, anxiety, fear, and elation.

Eleanor continues to sob with her fingers flattened against her lips. Jasper prayed that they were happy tears but the continuous flow and furrow of the eyebrows told different. He kisses her hand before rubbing it with the other. She finally looks at him wiping away the flood of tears dripping from her chin. Nodding her head she gives him the same compulsory smile he had received from her that morning.

The doctor can also detect her uneasiness. She stands to her feet and places her hand on Eleanor's shoulder. "You will make a fantastic mother Your Highness."

"Yes she will," he encourages steadily observing her.

Eleanor sits up wrapping her slim fit t-shirt around her tummy. Wiping away a few remaining tears she looks to the doctor. "I assume we're done here then, yes?"

The doctor's face twists in slight confusion. Presumably this wasn't the ordinary response of an expectant mother. But she plays along with a delicate smile nodding her head.

Jasper offers both hands helping his wife step down from the table. "Let's get you home."